Thomas Ballard, Jr of Charles City County, Virginia (1730-1791).

Thomas Ballard, Jr, the son of Thomas Ballard of Charles City county, was born c. 1730 and died in 1791. He married c. 1755 Sarah ______ (Talbot?). He died intestate, for on 18 March 1791, when Sarah received her third of the lands (dower interest) of Thomas Ballard.1 In 1796, the administrators of his estate divided it into seven equal parts to: 1. Moses Fontaine, in right of Elizabeth, his wife; 2. Abraham Fontaine, in right of Sarah, his wife; 3. John Ballard, he paying onto 4. Will T. Ballard & 5. Thomas Ballard, 6. Peter Eppes, in right of Lucy, his wife two boys Moses & Aron, negroes; 7. Francis Dancy Ballard. “The said William and Francis being infants, represented by Wm. Southall, their next friend.”2

[date omitted; probably 1742] On the petition of Thos. Ballard he is permitted to keep an ordinary at his house he having given bond and security as the law directs. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1737-50, p. 250.

June 1748. On the motion of Thos. Ballard his ordinary licence is renewed. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1737-50, p. 484.

October Court 1756. Thomas Ballard, George Minge, Joab Mountcastle and Benjamin Buck to appraise estate of David Davidson, dec’d. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1754-57, p. 435.

1 April 1760. Charles Houlsworth Plt. against Thomas Ballard Deft. In Trespass. This day came the parties by their attornies and thereupon came also a Jury to wit, Mm. Brewer, William Christian, John Brooks, John Bradley, Wm. Green Munford, Sackvil Brewer, Benjamin Bradley, John Emery, Wm. Irby, Thomas Morecock, Richard Poynter, and Theodrick Carter who being elected tryed and sworn the truth to speak upon the Issue Joined upon their oath do say that they defendant is guilty in manner and form as the Plaintif against him hath declared and they do assess the Plaintif Damages by occasion thereof to Twenty Shillings therefore it is considered by the Court that the Plaintiff recover against the said defendant the said twenty shillings and that he the said defendant pay unto the plaintif as much Costs as Damages and the said defendant in Mercy, etc. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 253.

7 May 1760. On the motion of Thomas Ballard (Surveyor of the road Leading from Ballard’s Ordinary to Hickes Bridge) he is discharged from Josiah Gilbert is appointed surveyor of the said road. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 195.

2 August 1760. Thomas Ballard and John Ridlehurst are recommended to his Honor the Governor as proper persons to execute the office of Inspection of Tobacco at the public Warehouses at Kennons in this County. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 216.

October Court 1760. Ordered that Wm. Lenard, Thomas Ballard Thomas Russell and Job Montcastle or any three of them being first sworn for that purpose do appraise in Current money the Slaves (if any) and personal Estate of Martha Brooks deceased and Return an account of their appraisement to the Court. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 223.

February Court 1761. Will of Elizabeth Major presented by Bernard Major, Jr the Executor, and proved by Freeman Walker and John Southall, with George Minge and Thomas Ballard security. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758-62, p. 242.

3 August 1761. John Dudley, Richard Ridlehourst, Thomas Ballard and John Ridlehurst are recommended to his Honor the Governor as proper Persons to Execute the office of Inspe3ctor of Tobacco at the Public Warehouses at Kinnon in this County. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 311.

7 October 1761. Thomas Ballard on Jury. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 324.

4 March 1762. Thomas Ballard on Jury. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758, p. 366.

November Court 1762. Will of Mary Wade presented by Joab Mountcastle, the Executor, and proved by Richard Corbett and Mary Mountcastle, with Thomas Ballard and Charles Housworth security. John Pavely, James Blanks, James Thompson and John Brown to appraise the estate. Charles City Co. Va. Order Book 1758-62, p. 497.

5 April 1768. Will of John Major, Sr. of Westover Parish, Charles City Co. To my brother James’s son John Major, items; to my brother James’s daughter Sarah Major, 10 pounds; to my brother James Major, rest of my estate and to be executor. Witnesses: William Parrish, Jr., Thomas Ballard, Elizabeth Ballard. Signed: John Major. Recorded 4 May 1768. Charles City Co. Av. Wills & Deeds, 1766-74, p. 73.

7 November 1770. Deed from John Holsworth of Charles City County & Agnes, his wife, to Bartholomew Dandridge of New Kent County, for £78. 156 acres in Westover Parish, bounded by Thomas Ballard & Ballard’s Mill Run. Witnesses: Stith Gregory, Marston Williams, Eaton Nance. Recorded 7 November 1770, Charles City Co. Va. Wills & Deeds, 1766-74, p. 251 (Note: Same property conveyed to Thomas Ballard the next year.)

21 March 1771. Will of Agnes Finch, Charles City County. To son William Finch, land I live on & to be executor. Rest of estate divided among all my children [children not named]. Witnesses: Elizabeth Ballard, John Cosby, Sarah Majhar [Major]. Signed: Agnes Finch. George Marrable & Henry Southall, security. Charles City Co. Va. Wills & Deeds, 1766-74, p. 374.

5 August 1772. Deed from James Blanks & Kittura Blanks his wife, of Westover Parish, Charles City County to Thomas Ballard of same, for £5. 18 ¾ acres, part of land Blanks lives on, bounded by Ballard’s old field, Soane’s Bridge & the Old School House. [Remainder of page missing] Charles City Co. Va. Wills & Deeds 1766-74, p. 384.

18 March 1791. “We the subscribers have assigned unto Sarah Ballard, widow of Thos. Ballard, dec’d, her third in the lands of the said Thos. Ballard.” Signed/sealed: Henry Armistead, Edward Finch, Joseph Vaden, Henry Duke. Recorded 18 March 1791. Charles City Co. Va. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 690.

March 1796, Administration of the Estate of Thomas Ballard. Ballards Children vs. Ballard admr. 1796, March report and directed synee [assign?] thereto each party equal costs. So endorsed — In conformity to a Decree of the worshipful Court of Charles City County which is hereto annexed we the subscribers have laid off and divided all the estate both real and personal whereof Thomas Ballard died siezed and possessed into 7 equal parts by virtue of the aforesaid interlocutory Decree do allot and assign unto Moses Fontaine in Right of Elizabeth his wife; Lott no 3, unto Abraham Fontaine, Lot no 2 unto John Ballard, he paying unto Will T. Ballard and unto Thos. Ballard; Lot no 5 two boys Moses and Aron negroes, unto Peter Eppes in Right of Lucy his wife as their divident; Lot no 4 assign Thos. Ballard as his dividend Lott no — assigned to Wm, T. Ballard Lot no 6, heroes etc. assigned unto Frances D. Ballard as his dividend (Original Papers).

November 1791. Charles City County Court. Moses Fontaine and Elizabeth his wife, Abraham Fontaine and Sarah his wife, Peter Eppes and Lucy his wife Thomas Ballard and William Ballard, and Wm. Ballard and Francis Ballard The sd Wm & Francis Ballard being infants, by Wm. Southall their next Friend. Pets against Jon Ballard admr. of This Ballard deceased (Original Papers).

27 October 1803. The Estate of Thomas Ballard deceased in account with John Ballard admr. £723, o, 10 1/4. Charles City Co. Va. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 596.

Thomas Ballard and Sarah (Talbot) had issue:

Elizabeth, was born c.1756, married between 10 July 1773 Moses Fontaine (born January 1741, died 3 December 1801; the son of Rev. Peter Fontaine of Westover Parish, Charles City County, Virginia, who died in 1755 owning about 6,000 acres in Pittsylvania County) of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. She died January 1845 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and left a will dated 21 May 1841, recorded 29 January 1845 (Pittsylvania Co. Va. Will Book 1), naming Edwin R. Beavers and Willam W. Keen; sons Thomas B. Fontaine, Peter Fontaine, William Fontaine and B.F. Fontaine; daughters Tabitha Thompson and Elizabeth Beavers; grandchildren Oba Fontaine, Chas H. Fontaine, Eliza Fontaine, Sarah C. Fontaine, Emely W. Fontaine, Lavina D. Fontain, children of Robert Fontaine. Sally Soyars, wife of Alexander Soyars mentioned. Executors Edwin R. Beavers, William W. Keen. Witnesses: Gritteth Dickenson Jr., Jeduthan Carter, William Orrender. See unverified notes archived here.

Sarah, was living 14 May 1825 in Goochland county; married before 15 February 1799 Abraham Fontaine (who was born 9 April 1756).

John, died 21 August 1814 without issue.In November 1791, John was identified as the administrator for his father’s estate.3 The other children sued him over the estate, which was settled in March 1796, resulting in a division into seven equal parts.4 On 23 August 1796, Francis D. Ballard and John Ballard conveyed the land they inherited from their father, “which part is called and known by the name Longpoint containing 158 3/4 acres.5 He sold additional land 19 October 1797,6 and 200 acres with his brother Francis D. Ballard on 3 February 1798.7 His brother William T. Ballard devised to him half of his estate in 1799. Circa 1800 he sold furniture to Elizabeth Heiliard.8 The real property tax list for the year 1800 shows him owning 125 acres, and the personal property tax list that year enumerates him as owning one slave. He finally wound up his father’s estate on 27 October 1803.9 According to Cabell, John left a will dated 18 May 1809, recorded 21 April 1814 in Charles City county.10

Thomas, born c.1756, died 20 September 1804 without issue. Thomas on 12 May 1792 made a gift of five slaves to his sister Elizabeth Fountain, the wife of Moses Fountain of Halifax County. The deed of gift was witnessed by Furnea Southall, Edward Finch and Will Ballard.11 The real property tax list for the year 1800 shows him owning 483 acres in Charles City County, and the personal property tax list shows him owning 10 slaves. On 5 December 1801 he gave her an additional seven slaves.12 On 15 July 1802 he conveyed a small tract of land in Charles City county to Thomas Blanks.13 He was dead by 20 September 1804, leaving a will in Charles City county:14

Just debts shall be paid. The family burying place now on my land shall remain solved and free for the internment of the family & their connections. That is to say a sufficiency ground for that purpose and for no further disposel. This I do for through the respect and duty I owe my ancestors and family and hope the same may be remembered by those who may ever consider it. Brothers John Ballard, Francis D. Ballard, sisters Elizabeth Fontain relect of Moses Fontain, Sarah Fountain wife of Abraham Fontain and Lucy Eppes, wife of Peter Epppes. Executor: John Ballard, Wyatt Walker, John Firth. Witnesses: Wm. Graves, Ed. M. Williams, Furnea Southall.

William Talbot, born c. 1770, died 21 February 1799 without issue.A minor when his father died in 1791, his interests being represented by William Southall. On 10 October 1796 he with Samuel Pryor sold 144 acres of land called the Blanks Tract to Henry Philips of Charles City county.15 He was dead by 21 February 1799 when his will dated 6 August 1798 was recorded in Charles City county:16

“Every article of property that I am possessed with except such as I shall hereafter devise shall be sold for cash or on a credit as my executor hereafter named may think proper and money from such sale to be equally divided between two brothers John Ballard and Thomas Ballard. One of my brothers above mentioned to have my bay mare colt called Narcissa be accounting to the other brother for one moiety of the value thereof and I further desire that, that part of my Mothers Thirds to which I am entitled after her death be equally decided between my aforesaid two brothers, John and Thomas Ballard. Debt due to me and every interest I have to or in any thing whatsoever shall be equally decided between my said two brothers. John and Thomas Ballard friend John Ferth executors, without security.”

His estate was valued at £182 by John E. Bailey and Henry Lacy.17

Francis Dancy, born c. 1771, and was living 13 August 1804. Like his brother William, Francis Dancy Ballard was a minor when his father died in 1791. As noted above in the description of John Ballard, he with his brother John sold land they inherited from their father Thomas Ballard called Longpoint on 23 August 1796. ON 21 September 1797 he conveyed to his brother Thomas Ballard a parcel of land called Neckland.18 On 2 November 1797 he conveyed 200 acres to William Southall and Wyatt Walker,19 and on 3 February 1798 another 200 acres, with John Ballard, to John N. Gregory.20 He was living 13 August 1804 when he is named as a devisee in his brother Thomas’ will.

Endnotes

1. “We the subscribers have assigned unto Sarah Ballard, widow of Thos. Ballard, dec’d, her third in the lands of the said Thos. Ballard.” Signed/sealed: Henry Armistead, Edward Finch, Joseph Vaden, Henry Duke. Recorded 18 March 1791. Charles City Co. Va. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 690.

2. March 1796, Administration of the Estate of Thomas Ballard. Charles City Co. Va. Original Papers.

3. November 1791. Charles City County Court. Moses Fontaine and Elizabeth his wife, Abraham Fontaine and Sarah his wife, Peter Eppes and Lucy his wife Thomas Ballard and William Ballard, and Wm. Ballard and Francis Ballard The sd Wm & Francis Ballard being infants, by Wm. Southall their next Friend. Pets against Jon Ballard admr. of This Ballard deceased (Original Papers).

4. March 1796, Administration of the Estate of Thomas Ballard. Charles City Co. Va. Original Papers. Ballards Children vs. Ballard admr. 1796, March report and directed synee [assign?] thereto each party equal costs. So endorsed — In conformity to a Decree of the worshipful Court of Charles City County which is hereto annexed we the subscribers have laid off and divided all the estate both real and personal whereof Thomas Ballard died siezed and possessed into 7 equal parts by virtue of the aforesaid interlocutory Decree do allot and assign unto Moses Fontaine in Right of Elizabeth his wife; Lott no 3, unto Abraham Fontaine, Lot no 2 unto John Ballard, he paying unto Will T. Ballard and unto Thos. Ballard; Lot no 5 two boys Moses and Aron negroes, unto Peter Eppes in Right of Lucy his wife as their divident; Lot no 4 assign Thos. Ballard as his dividend Lott no — assigned to Wm, T. Ballard Lot no 6, heroes etc. assigned unto Frances D. Ballard as his dividend (Original Papers).

5. 23 August 1796. Francis D. Ballard to John Ballard, Tract of Land which he the said Francis D. Ballard had allotted and assigned hence as his part & proportion of the lands whereof his father Thomas Ballard deceased died seized and possessed which part is called and known by the name of Longpoint containing 158 acres & 3/4 acres and bounded as follows to wit: Beginning at a Red Oak in the Edge of Moses (?) Creek. Thence to a Cherry tree on corner of Anthony Lamb. Witnesses: Will T. Ballard, John Fith, Peter Fontaine, Thos. Ballard. Recorded 15 Sept. 1796. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1787-1808, p. 299.

6. 19 October 1797. Jno. Ballard of Charles City County to Turner Christian of Prince George £800. Land in the County aforesaid bounded by the land of Dr. Cowles, Marsh and Leadbetter. Recorded 17 October 1797 [dates are as they appear in the Valentine Papers; need to check the original]. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1789-1808, p. 367.

7. 3 February 1798, Deed from Francis D. Ballard & John Ballard of the co. of Charles City to Jno. M. Gregory. Tract of land in Charles City Co. Va. & bounded on the north by Thos. Ballard, on the South by John Wilson, on the East Freeman Southall’s land & on the West by Thomas Ballard’s land, containing 200 acres. Witnesses: Thos. Ballard, Cyrus Marsh, Charles Cosby. Recorded Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1789-1802, p. 423 [Valentine p. 408].

9. 27 October 1803. The Estate of Thomas Ballard deceased in account with John Ballard admr. £723, o, 10 1/4. Charles City Co. Va. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 596.

10. Per Cabell – John left a will dated 18 May 1809, recorded 21 April 1814 in Charles City – died without issue.

14. 12 May 1792. Thomas Ballard of Charles City County do for the natural love and affection I have for Elizabeth Fountain wife of Moses Fountain of Halifax County put in trust of Isaac Coles and George Carrington Esquire five negro slaves. Witnesses: Fura. Southall, Edward Finch, Will Ballard. Recorded 12 May 1792. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1787-1808, p. 86.

15. 5 December 1801. Thos. Ballard of Charles City County and Elizabeth Fountain of the County Pitsylvania in consideration of the natural love and affection he bears towards the aforesaid Elizabeth Foutain his sister and for one Dollar a good right and title to the following slaves to wit Winney, Betty, Neall, Hannah, Nancy, Ned & Daphne with their future increase during her the said Elizabeth Fontains natural life or widowhood but at the death or marriage of my said sister I give the before mentioned slaves to be equally divided amongst all her the said Elizabeths children by her late husband Moses Fountain yet notwithstanding if my said sister Elizabeth does not marry again she may and I do hereby give her the privilege of willing the before mentioned slaves to her present children as she may chuse or think fit or at the marriage of either of her said children she may and has the privilege of giving if she chuses it such cild or children such of the before mentioned slaves as she may think fit. Witnesses: Wyatt Walker. Recorded 1st Jany 1802. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1787-1808, p. 506.

16. 15 July 1802. Thos. Ballard to Thomas Blanks both of Charles City County ten pounds current money of Virginia. One tract of land lying and being in the Parrish of Westover & county aforesaid containing 11 1/2 acres. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1787-1808, p. 618.

17. Charles City Co. Va. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 605.

11. 10 October 1796. Will T. Ballard & Saml. Pryor to Henry Phillips all of Charles City County £200 Va. Currency. Tract of land in the county aforesaid and called and known by the name Blanks Tract containing 144 acres Bounded as flows by the lands of Edloes Ferry thence to Mattekinks Road etc. Witnesses: Wyatt Walker, John E. Bailey, Thos. Ballard. Recorded 10 October 1796. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1787-1808, p. 305.

12. 6 August 1798. Will of William T. Ballard, Dated 6 August 1798, recorded 1 February 1799. “Every article of property that I am possessed with except such as I shall hereafter devise shall be sold for cash or on a credit as my executor hereafter named may think proper and money from such sale to be equally divided between two brothers John Ballard and Thomas Ballard. One of my brothers above mentioned to have my bay mare colt called Narcissa be accounting to the other brother for one moiety of the value thereof and I further desire that, that part of my Mothers Thirds to which I am entitled after her death be equally decided between my aforesaid two brothers, John and Thomas Ballard. Debt due to me and every interest I have to or in any thing whatsoever shall be equally decided between my said two brothers. John and Thomas Ballard friend John Ferth executors, without security. Charles City Co. Va. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 448. In conformity to an order of Court of Charles City County dated March 1799, we the subscribers have appraised the estate shown to us as belonging to Wm. T. Ballard and find the same to amount to £182 as witness our hands. John E. Bailey, Henry Lacy. Charles City Co. VA. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 550.

13. Charles City Co. VA. Will Book 1787-1808, p. 550.

18. 21 September 1797, Francis D. Ballard to Thomas Ballard of Charles City Co. For £36.16.10, “a parcel of land in said county, called Neckland in the road leading to Edloe’s Frry.” Recorded 21 September 1797. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1789-1808, p. 357.

19. 2 November 1797. Francis D. Ballard of Charles City of the first part, William Graves of the same county of the 2nd part to William Southall and Wyatt Walker in the 3rd part Deed of Trust — The said Francis D. Ballard hath bargained and sold unto the said William Southall & Wyatt Walker one certain Tract of land bounded by the lands of Furnea Southall, Thos. Ballard, Jno. Wilson and the said Graves containing 200 acres. Recorded 21 December 1797. Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1789-1802, p. 367.

20. 3 February 1798, Deed from Francis D. Ballard & John Ballard of the co. of Charles City to Jno. M. Gregory. Tract of land in Charles City Co. Va. & bounded on the north by Thos. Ballard, on the South by John Wilson, on the East Freeman Southall’s land & on the West by Thomas Ballard’s land, containing 200 acres. Witnesses: Thos. Ballard, Cyrus Marsh, Charles Cosby. Recorded Charles City Co. Va. Deed Book 1789-1802, p. 423 [Valentine p. 408].